However, it was perhaps the reaction of Niamh Baldwin’s school, Mounts Bay Academy, which raised the eyebrows of her family and friends in Penzance, and now those of the millions across the world who have shared the story.

From as far as Australia and New Zealand, people in their droves have been sharing the debate in many different languages.

Over the Christmas holidays the 14-year-old from Heamoor decided she wanted to shave her head and donate her hair to the Little Princess Trust – which takes real hair and produces wigs for sick children.

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When she returned to her lessons on Thursday January 4, however, her Grade One cut did not receive a positive reaction from her teachers and instead she was put in isolation immediately.

Millions of people have now read Niamh’s story. After it was originally published by Cornwall Live it has since featured in most of the national press in this country and beyond – with the majority all in support of the Cornish youngster.

“It’s been surreal,” Anneka told Cornwall Live on the morning of Monday January 8.

“We’ve been told by friends out in Germany that it’s in the newspapers over there and in other places around the world – Australia, Holland.

“I think Niamh is pretty overwhelmed with all of the support and kind messages from people from all over, it’s been pretty phenomenal.

"Hopefully this level of attention will be for the benefit of the charity."

The story has also featured in print and online in the states as well as most of Europe, and Asia. Hundreds have shared the articles on social media, while sending words of reassurance and praise to the teen.

Before and After: Niamh Baldwin says: "My hair does not define who I am as a person." (Image: Niamh Baldwin)

“We were shocked at the decision to exclude Niamh,” her mother, Anneka Baldwin, told Cornwall Live. “I think this is the most courageous and amazing thing to do and it makes me so proud.

“Especially at 14 - at that age a lot of girls are very into their looks and style, so to do something like this, we were all very proud.

“I am so upset that the school has made her feel so low and put her into isolation because her hair needs to be one centimetre longer.

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“Niamh has always had outstanding reports and feedback from all of her teachers and everyone I know and she meets always says she is an amazingly polite and lovely girl.

“This doesn’t change because of a hair style and to me it is discrimination. I’m actually fuming.”

Anneka, who works in catering, say the family feel disappointed in the academy and that Niamh – who felt singled out as a result – has been put off going in as a result.

They believe the academy should be encouraging such an act, not discriminating against it. Mounts Bay Academy states on its website that clipper cuts are allowed for boys, but nothing below a Grade Two.

The academy's principal, however, said that the rules were "very clear" and the family "had every opportunity to contact the school about their actions" to find a way for it to support her fundraising without breaking the rules.

Anneka Baldwin says she is very proud of her daughter's actions, but disappointed in Mounts Bay Academy. (Image: Anneka Baldwin)

It is understood that Niamh returned to normal lessons at Mounts Bay Academy this morning and her mother says both parties have agreed ‘miscommunication’ was to blame.

Anneka – who adds that she feels “incredibly lucky” to have the privilege of being the mum to the “strongest, bravest and most amazing” person she knows – has a special message for her daughter.

“I’m so proud of you Niamh,” she wrote on a Facebook post explaining the situation. “As are all of your family and friends.

Cornwall Live contacted Mounts Bay Academy for a comment and spoke to Principal Sara Davey on Sunday January 7.

She said: "The policy on extreme haircuts in school is very clear and has been published in our behaviour policy for many years. Extreme haircuts including head shaving have never been allowed and this is common for schools across the UK.

"All students know that this is the school policy and they also know that the consequence is to complete school work in the inclusion room until the hair grows so that is it no longer extreme.

“If Niamh had asked the school about shaving her hair for charity then this would have been pointed out and an alternative fundraising idea would have been suggested."

"I am surprised that the family did not speak to the school about the head shaving before it took place as we could have avoided this situation completely," she told Cornwall Live.

"Since returning to school Niamh has had access to her lessons in the inclusion room as we have extensive materials available to students. This includes lesson activities and resources via digital technology.

"The family had every opportunity to contact the school about their actions before Niamh shaved her hair for charity but they for some reason did not do this.

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"Going forward, I will speak to Niamh's mother on Monday to try to resolve the situation to everyone's satisfaction so that Niamh can return to lessons as soon as possible.

"It would be reasonable in the circumstances to suggest that Niamh wears a head scarf until her hair grows sufficiently, for example."

On its website the academy says: “We’re proud of our uniform and the sense of unity it brings. It also avoids parent/carers having to buy the latest fashionable clothing and many parents have told us that they appreciate the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ uniform table [on the website]."